NFL Rumors: Will Seattle Seahawks franchise Steve Hauschka?

By Gil Alcaraz IV

Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks enjoyed a resurgence this past season, following rookie quarterback Russell Wilson to an 11-5 record and the No. 5 seed in the NFC. While there’s plenty of promise heading into 2013, there is still one position that needs to be nailed down before any Super Bowl talk can begin.

The Seahawks need to figure out the kicker position. One way for them to scratch that off of their offseason to-do list would be to slap veteran Steven Hauschka with the franchise tag, which would pay him $2.926 million in 2013.

Since Hauschka joined the Seahawks in 2011, the veteran kicker has connected on 49 of his 57 field goal attempts. Five of his eight misses have come from 50 yards or beyond, showing just how consistent the fourth-year kicker out of NC State has been from 49 yards or shorter. He has also been reliable on extra points, missing only two in the last two years by way of block.

Still, despite being 46 of 49 from inside of 50 yards (23 of 23 in 2012), there must be some concern about his effectiveness from long range. Especially with a young, exciting team ready to contend in 2013, Pete Carroll and Co. might be looking to add some insurance from 50-plus yards that Hauschka simply hasn’t supplied in the last two years.

More than likely, though, Hauschka will do for now in Seattle. He’s proven to be quite the kicker from short and medium range and still has the potential to develop a long game seeing as he’s only 27 years old. The one-year franchise option gives him another season to prove himself at a respectable price without putting the Seahawks into a long-term commitment.

In this day and age of the NFL, 23 for 23 isn’t the type of dependability that you let walk. Even if the Seahawks must use the franchise tag on their kicker, it’s better than whiffing on a free agent or rookie.